|
 BURSCOUGH youngster
Alistair Nelson
enjoyed a dream
athletics
masterclass with
British Olympian and
four-time UK
Champion Michael
Rimmer after winning
a place on the Aviva
UKA Academy regional
training session
programme.
Alistair, 14, from
Burscough
Priory Science
College,
was one of a handful
of youngsters in
attendance as Rimmer
passed on tips,
advice and ran a
live session at Edge
Hill University.
The
Aviva UKA Academy is
a fresh new approach
to grassroots
sports, designed to
give every child in
the country the
opportunity to get
involved in
athletics by London
2012.
And
Rimmer, who spent
individual tuition
time with Alistair
and each of the
other children in
attendance, is
convinced the
Aviva-funded scheme
could help to
uncover a future
British Olympian.
"I
want to try and just
get kids like
Alistair excited
about the sport and
getting them fit and
healthy and
basically
introducing them to
athletics," said
Rimmer.
"When
I was their age I
didn't have a clue
what athletics was
about. I didn't know
what to do and it
wasn't until I had a
few sessions that I
did. "But once I did
I really enjoyed it.
Other
sports take up so
much of the talent
that from an
athletics point of
view you have to go
out and find it.
"And
you don't know who
you are going to
find until you go
out and look for
it."
The
training sessions
are designed to
allow children of
all ages and
abilities the chance
to try athletics and
find something that
they enjoy.
And
Alistair, who turned
his hand to
sprinting, long jump
and a variety of
other activities, is
adamant he'd like to
follow in the
footsteps of Rimmer
and represent his
country at an
Olympic Games.
"It
was great to run
alongside Michael
and get his thoughts
and feelings on what
it takes to be
successful - he was
a real inspiration,"
said Alistair - who
runs for Liverpool,
Pembroke and Sefton
Harriers.
"I
have really started
to take my athletics
seriously so to come
to a day with
Michael was perfect.
He passed on some
really good training
tips that I will
use."
The
Aviva UKA Academy is
a fresh new approach
to grassroots sport,
designed to give
every child in the
country the
opportunity to get
involved in
athletics by 2012.
For
more information go
to
www.aviva.co.uk/athletics
By
Richard Anderson
Ormskirk Advertiser
Please note:
In
line with our privacy policy
and to ensure the protection
of Priory pupils
Alistair's facial features
on the above photo
have been pixelated |
